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michael Phillips

Male

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?: barista, barista trainer, home barista
Where are you located? ( City and Country ): chicago IL
How many years have you been in the industry?: 2
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?: maybe
Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.: I work for Intelligentsia coffee and tea in Chicago. We try to set the bar high for what it takes to work in our shops and I would qualify most of our bar certified staff as solid 3rd wavers. I currently have a decent grasp on latte art, solid knowledge of espresso craft and know my fair share about single origin coffees as well. I could not speak for Intelligentsia as far as opening our shops to the exchange program but would be interested in seeing how other shops do things and participating in Jams, guest shifts or what have you
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?: short term I am interested in any US city with a solid 3rd wave shop/culture. in the longer term I am inclined to travel to central/south america, Europe and possibly even africa.
About Me:: I am a 29 year old Barista with some experience in coffee production environments as well. I adhere to a healthy chunk of your standard progressive values such as living green, social responsibility and equality. My interests outside of coffee include biking (commuter) bar tending/mixology and plants.
About My Company:: Intelligentsia is a coffee roaster with 4 retail locations, 3 in chicago and 1 in LA. We are pushing a new direction in purchasing coffee and developing farmer relations which we have termed Direct Trade. We keep our standards high for both the quality of our beans and our preparation. We support industry events such as the regional barista comps and are SCAA members in good standing.
Website:: http://oneshotfortheroad.wordpress.com/

Comment Wall:

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Andy Newbom

tat foto is so dang mirrory shadey

Jan 25, 2008
Nick Griffith

I tried to talk to you at the party, but you were too far gone.
And we swung by Broadway... for 10 minutes. What do you expect, I got planes to catch and business to do.

Feb 10, 2008
Bel Townsend

Hello. Bizarrely,I have a friend here in the UK called Mike Phillips who looks a bit like you. So I thought I'd say Hello.

Feb 10, 2008
Sasha King

Good luck this Friday!

Mar 10, 2008
Sasha King

Michael,
I lost your phone number and wanted to hear how things went. Call me when you have a moment. See you soon.

Mar 14, 2008
Trevor

Congrats Mike! Keep us updated if you still want to have a jam.

Mar 16, 2008
Jake Randalll

Thanks man!
Congrats!

Mar 17, 2008
Rory Cunningham

A good time to check out Metropolis would be any weekday mid morning or afternoon, and both of the Uncommon Ground locations have unique cocktail menus. Because you are interested in mixology, I recommend you check out the location on Clark and Grace (3800 N Clark) during the evenings as there is also live music every night usually around 9 pm. That location also makes a lot of Black Cat/liquor drinks, too. Beware, it's a little pricey, but good nonetheless. Plus, the Gingerman Tavern is close by. I didn't get to stick around for Sunday's finals, but I see that you cleaned up--congratulations.

Mar 18, 2008
Ryan Knapp

sounds good...and if your ever south on 57 for some reason come find us. Congrats again on this weekend.

Mar 19, 2008
elvin

Hey Michael---

Corgrats on the Competition!

---michael

Mar 19, 2008
elvin

Yeah... I hope to show up at the SCAA... still need to sort that out tho. I assume you'll be there since you're in the neighborhood?

hope to see you then.

Mar 19, 2008
Joshua Longsdorf

hola senior phillips, how goes it? Also check your email cause I'm not going to rewrite all the sweet boy crush to you again in form of comment.

Mar 20, 2008
Liz Clayton

sasha king told me if i ask nice you will take me for cocktails next time i am home?

Mar 30, 2008
5.0 Reasons

Likewise man...see you son pimp!

Apr 1, 2008
5.0 Reasons

uh, soon that is.

Apr 1, 2008
Kim Cross

So did you kick ass or what?!

Apr 14, 2008
Kim Cross

oops....that was meant for natasha....haha...i don't know you. sorry.

Apr 14, 2008
Chris DeMarse

I appreciate the feedback on the capps in practice man.... Win or lose at USBC, you win every time you set a drink down in front of me... I look forward to catching up sometime in the near future... keep your eyes peeled for the corn fed barista throwdown...

May 9, 2008
Ben Helfen

You are correct, my friend. Let's just say they don't call it "The Dirty South" for nothin'. Danger is only the beginning...

May 9, 2008
Danielle Glasky

octane misses you and your crew.

May 9, 2008
Amber Sather

i think i just invited you, but you are already a member. and i just wanted us to be friends. do you want to do an exchange? i'll come work in your cafe.

Jul 12, 2008
Andy Newbom

the Mike P is SOOOO hot right now! THe world is banging down his capp cup to get some of that sweet coffee love.

Jul 20, 2008
Andy Newbom

it is a little bit from column A, a little from column B and a heap from column C...

I want coffee. I want the mystical Mike-E P. making it for me to the E.

Jul 20, 2008
elvin

Hello to you Sir!

Not sure when I might make it to the Windy City... times are strange right now. Leaving Batdorf August 1st. Moving to a new Job.

More information to foll0w s0on.

Good to hear from you. ...and I do look forward to visiting your fine Town, and throwing down some great coffees with you.

Jul 23, 2008
Chris DeMarse

Mike,
I just heard about the glrbj (nice acronym).. are you guys hosting that?

Aug 1, 2008
Chris DeMarse

trevor from madcaps sent me the info sheets, but I was unsure as to who exactly is taking the helm for this one. It sounds exciting though. I talked to Chris and it had just slipped his mind, but I'm definitely in and and would love to help in any way needed.

Aug 4, 2008
Dylan H

Awesome. Thanks for the heads up.

Sep 11, 2008
Miro

Hope life in the Chi is treating you well my friend. I'll see you on the 4th and ill bring some other uglies with me.

Sep 13, 2008
Marcus Boni

I was going to come to the Spro' Down but I have a pug event on that Saturday. Can I come just on Sunday? I will let you win the next Dance off....Let you.

Sep 15, 2008
Andy Newbom

Michael: was that you who won all those Gold medals (or were they gold records..?) recently? Thought I saw you sans shades on a wheaties...

Sep 18, 2008
Andy Newbom

or maybe it was cap'n crunch berries!

Sep 18, 2008
Chris DeMarse

mike,
I'm coming next weekend, but I can only be there on Saturday. Do I still have to sport all the cash for the whole weekend or can we barter. I think I have a wheel of cheese or some goat's milk that may be a good trade... totally kidding.

Sep 25, 2008
Chris DeMarse

Mike,
sorry to miss you. I actually couldn't make it. I found out last minute that day 1 was all barista basics and could only come for Saturday as I had prior engagements Sunday. I REALLY wanted to come, but I couldn't justify spending $100 in traveling and reg. expenses for just a day of basics classes, but I hear things were great... and I Will let you know next time I'm in town. In fact, I'm flying out of Chi town Thursday to Panama. I don't have much time to get coffee, but when we come back from the trip I might be able to swing by. I'll let you know.

Oct 7, 2008
Chasse

hey,
hehe, sorry i confused you. chasse is my nickname, french for the word 'hunting'. my first name is Anna

I only work over 60 hours weekly in the summer season. I live in an area that relies heavily on tourism and we get a hell of a lot of it! It's kind of expensive to live here and typically locals rely on working more in the summer. I work a job and a half or so in the off season. It's manageable, I promise! I still have energy to spare.

I am looking to move. I'm so in love with everything I know so far about coffee, though I still consider myself a newbie, and this area is not cutting it for me training-wise. I want to work at places with owners and employees who are genuinely enamored and have experience behind their passion.

So what's your coffee-life like?

Cheers!

Nov 12, 2008
JIm Saborio

Hey aren't you that dude that used Lake Michigan water in your sig drink?

Nov 13, 2008
JIm Saborio

No, the Intellifleth is like an up-dosed Stockfleth's... it's much more cowboy and raw than the whimpy European 4 gram doubles extracted for seven seconds with a light pat for a tamp.

The Chicago Chop involves the bottle opener thingie. Apparently it's all the craze in Switzerland right now. Wenger and Victorinox have added a Chicago chopper attachment to their Barista Knives which also have sander files for removing stained, calloused spots from fingers.

Nov 13, 2008
Renee Espinoza

Hey Michael! Ir's great to hear from you. You have it right, Coffee Masters is going to be a big part of Coffee Fest this year. I will definitely take you up on your offer for help. This is my first and I think I'll need all the help I can get.

Nov 13, 2008
Mike Strumpf

Yo! I'm hosting the MRBC again this year and will hopefully be judging in a regional, at the USBC, and most hopefully at the WBC. You competing again this season? Did someone leave the roasting team or were you guys just hiring to train another roaster?

Nov 17, 2008
Steve MacDowall

greetings from Canada - Steve

Nov 19, 2008
Katie Carguilo

your sunglasses peer into my soul

Nov 25, 2008
tom

Hey Mike - I bought a pound of Black Cat Classic while I was in town yesterday, and wanted to see what you feel would be an ideal extraction for this latest of Black Cats? ...ideal dose, ideal extraction time, ideal water temp... and/or any other suggestions for extracting this coffee in a way you think best frames the BCC.

Dec 14, 2008
elvin

Mike---

been meaning to write you. Hope all is well. I've signed up to compete at the NWRBC ...and now I feel sick.

hahaha...

next time I'll let you know a little sooner so I can get some coaching time out of you.

---elvin

Dec 28, 2008
Sara Travis

I know you! Its Sara here, the girl Intelli couldn't hire because of a "conflic of interests"... amazing
Just found this site and its great :O)
Cheers

Jan 11, 2009
Chris DeMarse

mike,
Rumor has it that you will be at coffeefest this year only spectating? Can you confirm or deny these rumors? Hah. I really hope to see you there either way this year.

Jan 27, 2009
Ryan Knapp

Hey Mike, sorry for the short notice but I'm going to be in your neighborhood tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon. Planning on stopping in for some spro, just checking to see if you'd be around. If not I'll see ya at Coffee Fest.

Feb 3, 2009
Chris DeMarse

We will have quite a group in attendance, though I am feeling your sentiments to the T. My wife (her first time attending any coffee event), two other married couples, Deferio, and about a half dozen Alliance folks will be in tow. It'll be nice to have a lot of people at my funeral.

Feb 4, 2009
Chris DeMarse

I'm sure you're worst will outdo my best, by the way. We'll have a booth for the coffee institute this year with a GB5 EE throwing down my comp blend. You'll have to come and pick it apart for me.

Feb 4, 2009
Chris DeMarse

I'm flying solo as a competitor for the second year in a row... Deferio is out because he has to teach all weekend and judge the millrock stuff. I am already slightly overwhelmed at what I assume will be the stiffest competition yet.

Feb 4, 2009
Chris DeMarse

who all is coming from chi-town with your crew?

Feb 4, 2009
Mike Strumpf

Congratulations on your finish this week. You're a smart man! Once I heard the rule change for tech judges not evaluating the visual appearance of espressos in the signature drink I started thinking about making a signature drink with different parts of the espresso extraction. I only told a few people here in Colorado, so I know you were thinking the same thing in Chicago. I wish I could have tasted it! I'm not sure if more people will start to make signature drinks like that, it probably takes a nut like you or me to give it a go. So way to go on being on of the most innovative barista competitors!

Feb 23, 2009